Power distribution system for motor vehicle rear light assemblies

Abstract

A power distribution system for a motor vehicle having a left tail light assembly, a license plate light assembly and a right tail light assembly includes a power distribution block that has a plurality of bus strips embedded in the distribution block with each of the bus strips having at least one tab terminal that projects into an integral input connector socket and at least one tab terminal that projects into at least one of first, second and third output connector sockets. A spliceless chassis wiring harness is plugged into the input connector socket for energizing lights in the left tail light assembly, the license plate light assembly and the right tail light assembly via three spliceless output wiring harnesses operatively associated with the respective output connector sockets and the light assemblies. The power distribution system may also include optional right and left side marker light assemblies that are operatively associated with the second output connector socket.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A power distribution system for a motor vehicle having a left tail light assembly, a license plate light assembly and a right tail light assembly comprising: 
       a bussing block having an input connector, a first output connector, a second output connector and a third output connector;  
       the bussing block having a plurality of bus strips with each of the bus strips having at least one terminal that is exposed in the input connector and at least one terminal that is exposed in at least one of the first, second and third output connectors;  
       a spliceless chassis wiring harness having an end connector mated to the input connector for energizing lights in the left tail light assembly, the license plate light assembly and the right tail light assembly;  
       a spliceless first output wiring harness operatively associated with the first output connector and the left tail light assembly;  
       a spliceless second output wiring harness operatively associated with the second output connector and the license plate light assembly, and  
       a spliceless third output wiring harness operatively associated with the third output connector and the right tail light assembly.  
     
     
       2. The power distribution system as defined in claim  1  wherein the right and left tail light assemblies each include a turn light, a stop light and a back-up light. 
     
     
       3. The power distribution system as defined in claim  2  wherein the right and left tail light assemblies each include a double filament light that functions as the stop light and a park light. 
     
     
       4. The power distribution system as defined in claim  2  wherein the license plate light assembly includes a right license light and a left license light. 
     
     
       5. The power distribution system as defined in claim  2  further including a right side marker light assembly and a left side marker light assembly and wherein the right and left side marker light assemblies are operatively associated with the second output connector. 
     
     
       6. The power distribution system as defined in claim  3  wherein the license plate light assembly includes a right license light and a left license light. 
     
     
       7. The power distribution system as defined in claim  3  further including a right side marker light assembly and a left side marker light assembly and wherein the right and left side marker light assemblies are operatively associated with the second integral output connector socket. 
     
     
       8. The power distribution system as defined in claim  3  wherein the license plate light assembly includes a right license light and a left license light. 
     
     
       9. The power distribution system as defined in claim  3  further including a right side marker lamp assembly and a left side marker lamp assembly and wherein the right and left side marker lamp assemblies are operatively associated with the second output connector. 
     
     
       10. The power distribution system as defined in claim  1 , wherein the input connector, the first output connector, the second output connector and the third output connector are sockets. 
     
     
       11. The power distribution system as defined in claim  10 , wherein the sockets are integral to the bussing block and made of the same material. 
     
     
       12. The power distribution system as defined in claim  1 , wherein the bussing block is molded about the plurality of bus strips thereby encapsulating the plurality of bus strips. 
     
     
       13. The power distribution system as defined in claim  1  wherein the bussing block is located at the rear of a vehicle, attached to a cross sill. 
     
     
       14. A power distribution system for a motor vehicle having a left tail light assembly, a license plate light assembly and a right tail light assembly comprising: 
       the right and left tail light assemblies each having a turn light, a stop light, a park light and a back-up light, the stop light and the park light contained within a single double filament light;  
       a bussing block attached to a vehicle cross sill at a location exposed to road conditions, the bussing block having an input connector, a first output connector, a second output connector and a third output connector, the connectors being sockets, the sockets integral to the bussing block;  
       the bussing block having a plurality of bus strips with each of the bus strips having at least one terminal that is exposed in the input connector and at least one terminal that is exposed in at least one of the first, second and third output connectors, the bussing block encapsulating the plurality of bus strips;  
       a spliceless chassis wiring harness having an end connector mated to the input connector for energizing lights in the left tail light assembly, the license plate light assembly and the right tail light assembly;  
       a spliceless first output wiring harness electrically connected with the first output connector and the left tail light assembly;  
       a spliceless second output wiring harness electrically connected with the second output connector and the license plate light assembly; and  
       a spliceless third output wiring harness electrically connected with the third output connector and the right tail light assembly.  
     
     
       15. A power distribution system for a motor vehicle having a left tail light assembly, a license plate light assembly and a right tail light assembly comprising: 
       a bussing block having an input connector, a first output connector, a second output connector and a third output connector;  
       the bussing block having a plurality of bus strips with each of the bus strips having at least one terminal that is exposed in the input connector and at least one terminal that is exposed in at least one of the first, second and third output connectors, the plurality of bus strips lying flat within the same plane, the bussing block molded about and encapsulating the plurality of bus strips;  
       a spliceless chassis wiring harness having an end connector mated to the input connector for energizing lights in the left tail light assembly, the license plate light assembly and the right tail light assembly;  
       a spliceless first output wiring harness operatively associated with the first output connector and the left tail light assembly;  
       a spliceless second output wiring harness operatively associated with the second output connector and the license plate light assembly; and  
       a spliceless third output wiring harness operatively associated with the third output connector and the right tail light assembly.  
     
     
       16. The power distribution system as defined in claim  15  wherein the right and left tail light assemblies each include a turn light, a stop light and a back-up light. 
     
     
       17. The power distribution system as defined in claim  16  wherein the right and left tail light assemblies each include a double filament light that functions as the stop light and a park light. 
     
     
       18. The power distribution system as defined in claim  17  wherein the license plate light assembly includes a right license light and a left license light. 
     
     
       19. The power distribution system as defined in claim  17  further including a right side marker light assembly and a left side marker light assembly and wherein the right and left side marker light assemblies are operatively associated with the second output connector.